ABS is calling on regulators to adopt a more adaptable approach regarding the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) greenhouse gas reduction framework. The classification society highlights that challenges such as fuel accessibility and infrastructure readiness could hinder large portions of the global fleet from complying with stricter emissions regulations. In its latest position paper, released recently, ABS advocates for maritime decarbonization to unfold through various avenues rather than solely relying on fuel-switching policies.
As the shipping sector navigates the IMO’s Net Zero Framework—aiming for at least a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050—ABS underscores the necessity of considering real-world constraints, including fuel availability and commercial dynamics across different shipping segments. Currently, only around 10% of the global fleet can operate on alternative fuels, emphasizing the transition’s nascent stage, while variations among shipping sectors complicate compliance.
The report identifies liquefied natural gas (LNG) as the most developed alternative fuel option, with significant infrastructure in place, while methanol and ammonia also present potential but face challenges such as limited supply and infrastructure. ABS warns that an over-reliance on fuel-switching could lead to competitive imbalances and advocates for integrating energy efficiency measures into compliance frameworks, emphasizing that optimizing existing processes could yield considerable emissions reductions while low carbon fuel supplies remain limited.
